Dipteryx oleifera Thrives on Lightning Strikes, Boosting Survival and Reproduction
New research reveals how this keystone tropical tree benefits from lightning strikes, reducing competition and parasitic pressure while enhancing ecological dominance.
- Dipteryx oleifera trees survive lightning strikes with minimal damage, unlike most other species, with all nine sampled trees recovering fully in the study.
- Lightning strikes kill an average of 9.2 neighboring trees and reduce parasitic vine infestations on Dipteryx oleifera by 78%, freeing resources for growth and reproduction.
- The species' tall height and wide crowns may have evolved to increase the likelihood of being struck, providing a competitive advantage in tropical forests.
- Lightning tolerance boosts Dipteryx oleifera's reproductive success, making it 14 times more likely to produce offspring compared to trees without this adaptation.
- Researchers are now investigating the structural and electrical traits behind this lightning tolerance and exploring whether other species share similar adaptations.
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